Monday, April 29, 2013

On April 26th, 2013 at approximately 5:33pm a Transit Police officer working in Area 3 at North Quincy MBTA station received a radio call to respond to the platform area for a male attempting to "train surf". Upon arrival the officer was informed by witnesses present a male, later identified as Justin Green, 29 of South Boston, while outside of the train car was attempting to hang onto the top roof rail of the train as it was pulling out of the station. MBTA personnel were forced to hold service for several minutes and delay the train for Green's safety. This caused inconvenience for many passengers as well as having a residual effect on other trains waiting to pull into the station. Another witness came forward and stated Green attempted to do the same activity while at MBTA Wollaston station moments earlier. When the officer approached Green relative to his dangerous behavior Green stated he had a "God given right to do anything he wants" and the only person that would have been harmed was himself. While speaking with Green the officer discovered there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest issued from Quincy District Court for Failure to Attend Jury Service. Green was placed into custody for the warrant and will also be charged with Disorderly Conduct.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

On April 12, 2013 we posted pictures of an individual and sought the public's assistance in identifying him (see posting here ). Aided by tips from our readers and subsequent to an investigation Transit Police detectives secured an arrest warrant from Boston Municipal Court-Central Division for Jose Murillo, 27 of Cambridge. On April 24, 2013 Murillo turned himself into Transit Police detectives at TPD HQ. It is expected Murillo will be arraigned sometime today in BMC for the charge of Assault & Battery with a dangerous Weapon.

WASHINGTON – Attorney General Eric
Holder announced today that Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, 19, a U.S. citizen and
resident of Cambridge, Mass., has been charged with using a weapon of mass
destruction against persons and property at the Boston Marathon on April 15,
2013, resulting in the death of three people and injuries to more than 200
people.

In a criminal complaint unsealed
today in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Tsarnaev is
specifically charged with one count of using and conspiring to use a weapon of
mass destruction (namely, an improvised explosive device or IED) against
persons and property within the United States resulting in death, and one count
of malicious destruction of property by means of an explosive device resulting
in death. The statutory charges authorize a penalty, upon conviction, of
death or imprisonment for life or any term of years. Tsarnaev had his initial
court appearance today from his hospital room.

“Although our investigation is
ongoing, today’s charges bring a successful end to a tragic week for the city
of Boston, and for our country,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “Our
thoughts and prayers remain with each of the bombing victims and brave law
enforcement professionals who lost their lives or suffered serious injuries as
a result of this week’s senseless violence. Thanks to the valor of state
and local police, the dedication of federal law enforcement and intelligence
officials, and the vigilance of members of the public, we’ve once again shown
that those who target innocent Americans and attempt to terrorize our cities
will not escape from justice. We will hold those who are responsible
for these heinous acts accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

“The events of the past week
underscore in stark terms the need for continued vigilance against terrorist
threats both at home and abroad,” said John Carlin, Acting Assistant Attorney
General for National Security. “Friday’s arrest and today’s charges
demonstrate what can be achieved by a collaborative, round-the clock response
involving law enforcement officers, intelligence professionals, prosecutors and
the general public.”

“Today’s charges are the
culmination of extraordinary law enforcement coordination and the tireless
efforts of so many, including ordinary citizens who became heroes as they
responded to the call for help in the hours and days following the Marathon
tragedy,” said Carmen Ortiz, U.S. Attorney for the District of
Massachusetts. “The impact of these crimes has been far-reaching,
affecting a worldwide community that is looking for peace and justice. We
hope that this prosecution will bring some small measure of comfort both to the
public at large and to the victims and their families that justice will be
served. While we will not be able to comment on any possible
communications between the suspect and law enforcement at this time, as a
general rule, the government will always seek to elicit all the actionable
intelligence and information we can from terrorist suspects taken into our
custody.”

“The events of this week have moved
at a breakneck pace. Yet the one consistent element of this investigation
has been the collective efforts of our law enforcement and intelligence
partners, working side-by-side, day and night, to identify and find those
responsible for this attack, while keeping the public safe,” said Rick
DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “We are
grateful to the American people for their assistance; we would not be
successful without their trust and support. We will continue to
investigate this matter with the greatest diligence and expediency, and we will
do all that we can to protect those we serve.”

“Friday night’s capture of the
suspect brought immediate relief to a community from a public safety viewpoint.
However, much work remains and many questions require answers. Today’s charges
represent another step on the long road toward justice for the victims of these
crimes. On behalf of the citizens of this great Commonwealth, the Massachusetts
State Police will continue to work diligently with our federal and local
partners to bring this defendant to justice for his alleged acts and ensure the
public’s safety,” said Colonel Timothy P. Alben, Superintendent of the
Massachusetts State Police.

“Finding the alleged perpetrators
of this savage act of terrorism four days after the attack on the City of
Boston was a herculean effort and shows the true cooperation and dedication of
the law enforcement community,” said Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis. “We
were relentless in our pursuit of the suspects. The arrest of Tsarnaev and
today’s charges should send a clear message to those who look to do us harm,
the entire law enforcement community will go after you, find you and bring you
to justice.”

This investigation was conducted by
the FBI’s Boston Division, the Boston Police Department, the Massachusetts
State Police, and member agencies of the Boston Joint Terrorism Task Force,
which is comprised of more than 30 federal, state and local enforcement
agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives,
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations,
U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Secret Service, the Massachusetts Bay Transit
Authority and others. In addition, the Watertown Police Department, the
Cambridge Police Department, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Police Department, the Boston Fire Department, the National Guard and police,
fire and emergency responders from across Massachusetts and New England played
critical roles in the investigation and response.

This case is being prosecuted by
Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Weinreb and Aloke Chakravarty from the
Anti-Terrorism and National Security Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the
District of Massachusetts, with assistance from the Counterterrorism Section of
the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

The public is reminded that charges
contained in an indictment or criminal complaint are merely allegations, and
that defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty

Friday, April 12, 2013

Transit Police Detectives are seeking the identity of the subject depicted within. If you know this person or his whereabouts please contact the Criminal Investigation Unit at 617-222-1050. If you can assist our investigators but wish to remain anonymous you can use our SeeSay app or simply text your message/tip to 873873.

On Wednesday, April 10, 2013, at approximately 10:00pm, two
males were victims of an Assault and Battery Dangerous Weapon (Knife) at
Downtown Crossing MBTA Station by the subject depicted above. The assault
occurred shortly after the victims and other passengers were accosted on the
train.

The suspect is described as:

A white or Hispanic male, mid 20’s, with a full facial
beard, wearing a black knit hat, a dark blue jacket, and carrying a black back
pack.

On April 11, 2013 at approximately 9am Transit Police officers from Area 3 received a radio call to respond to the Attleboro Commuter Rail station for a trespasser struck by an MBTA train. Multiple Transit Police units responded along with Attleboro Police, Fire and EMS. Transit Police personnel on scene report the following preliminary information: an approximately 46 year old white male trespassing on Track 4 was struck by an inbound MBTA train. The male has been pronounced deceased. The incident took place in the area of mile post 197, (75 South Main Street). Transit Police detectives are currently investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

On April 9, 2013 at approximately 6:50am Transit Police officers from Area 2 received a radio call for an MBTA bus operator being assaulted at the MBTA Oak Grove station. Upon arrival officers located the victim/T employee, a 58 year old male, who was bleeding heavily from his nose. The victim/employee stated the following; while parked and sitting behind the wheel of a MBTA Route 131 bus at the Oak Grove station busway a male, later identified as Ryan O'Donnell, 19 years old of Wakefield boarded his bus. O'Donnell tapped his Charlie Card on the fare box which indicated insufficient funds to cover the fare. The bus operator explained this to O'Donnell who became belligerent and demanded to ride for free. The bus operator refused and after withstanding O'Donnell's verbal tirade requested he exit the bus. As O'Donnell was exiting the bus he turned and spat at the bus operator. Subsequent to that a struggle ensued where the victim/T employee was struck with a closed fist multiple times in the face causing injury and severe bleeding from his nose.

O'Donnell was placed into custody for Assault and Assault & Battery (causing injury) and transported to Transit Police HQ for the arrest booking process. O'Donnell is expected to be arraigned sometime today in Malden District Court.

Victim/T employee, a 10 year veteran employee, was transported to an area hospital by ambulance for treatment.

On April 9, 2013 at approximately 12:40 am Transit Police were called to Alewife MBTA station for a intoxicated male who was behaving disorderly and refusing to leave the station. Upon arrival officers located the subject of the call, a male later identified as Ricardo Navarro, 22 of Boston. When Navarro observed the officers he began to shout obscenities and threats at station personnel. During the encounter with Navarro officers discovered there was a warrant for Navarro's arrest issued from Brookline District Court for Violation of the Commonwealth's Drug Laws and Motor Vehicle infractions. Navarro was placed into custody and transported to Transit Police HQ for the arrest booking process. Navarro will appear in Brookline District Court sometime today.
Media inquiries should be directed to tpdnews@mbta.com

Friday, April 5, 2013

Transit Police Detectives are seeking the identity of the male subject depicted within. If you know the identity or the whereabouts of this individual please contact the Criminal Investigation Unit at 617-222-1050. If you would like to help our investigators but wish to remain anonymous you can use our SeeSay app or simply text your tip/message to 873873. On Monday, March 25,
2013, at approximately 11:40 AM, a female placed a flute, $4,000 in value, on a
bench at Park Street MBTA Station, Red Line northbound center platform. She
boarded a train, leaving the instrument behind. The subject depicted
within retrieved the property and boarded the next train. The instrument
is still missing. The owner of the Flute is a 21 year old student at the Berkelee College of Music. She personally owns the flute and is devastated by this incident. She is on a scholarship, as part of the scholarship agreement she needs the instrument to fulfill her obligations to the school. She also teaches music and requires the use of her flute to do so. The loss of her instrument has significantly affected her personally and she would be grateful to anyone who facilitates its return.

On March 21, 2013 at approximately 7:40pm a female victim was traveling on a outbound Red Line train. As the train approached Savin Hill MBTA station a male forcefully grabbed her cell phone from her hands and fled off the train as the doors opened. On April 4, 2013 as a result of an investigation Transit Police detectives arrested a 16 year old juvenile male from Dorchester. It is expected he will be arrainged in Boston Juvenile Court for Unarmed Robbery sometime today.

Unfortunately, thefts of smart phones/electronic devices (most notably Apple products) is a nationwide trend (see story here). This trend often referred to as "Apple Picking" is for the most part a crime of opportunity. However there are things you can do to minimize the chances of being victimized while traveling on the T.

If possible avoid using your phone while on the MBTA except in cases of emergency/reporting via SeeSay or 911

Conceal expensive electronic equipment

Change the color of the ear buds, would be thieves look for the distinctive white ear plugs of Apple

Refrain from listening to music or wearing headphones while riding the system

Be aware of your surroundings at all times especially if you are using your electronic device

Be aware that most robberies of electronic devices occur near the train doors

Be alert for staged distractions

Transit Police Chief Paul MacMillan stated " public awareness campaigns are an invaluable tool in our goal to reduce thefts of iPhones and other electronic devices on the MBTA. Enforcement alone will not work, we need to remind our MBTA community they can take definitive steps to guard themselves from being victimized".

In the unfortunate event you are a victim DO NOT resist, things can be replaced. Try to stay calm, hand over your device and attempt to observe the physical characteristics of the perpetrator so you can describe him/her later. Contact the Transit Police as soon as possible (immediately if practicable) after the event and report the incident. Our detectives will work diligently to get your property back and apprehend the offender. Also, if you have not done so already please passcode protect your iPhone, enable Find My iPhone and lastly download a Remote Data Wipe for iPhone. For more information or tips to protect yourself call the Intelligence Unit at 617-222-1170.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

On March 8, 2013 at approximately 6:20pm a female reported to Transit Police the following: while traveling on an inbound Orange Line train a male pulled his pants down and fully exposed himself to her. This occurred as the train was pulling into Mass Ave MBTA station. The male directed his genitals towards the reporting party for approximately one minute then exited the train at Mass Ave station.

April 3, 2013, subsequent to an investigation, Transit Police detectives did arrest John McDonald, 48 of Boston at Ruggles MBTA station after he was recognized from a wanted poster by an officer for the above described incident. McDonald was transported to Transit Police HQ for the arrest booking process and is expected to be arraigned sometime today in Boston Municipal Court-Central Division for Open & Gross Conduct.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

MBTA Transit Police Chief Paul MacMillan has released the 2013 first quarter Part I crime statistics which show a 33% decrease when compared to the same time period in 2012. Part I crimes, which are defined by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting system, are; Homicide, Rape/Assault to rape, Robbery, Aggravated assault, Burglary, Larceny, Auto theft and Arson.

Chief MacMillan stated, “I would like to thank and acknowledge the hard working and dedicated men and women of the Transit Police who day in and day out dedicate themselves to our mission to ensure a safe transit environment.” Through our crime reduction strategies, public awareness campaigns and most importantly our invaluable partnerships with MBTA employees and our community groups, we hope to continue this downward trend.”

Cell phone theft continues to be an issue, not only here, but throughout the country. We are committed to reduce robberies on the MBTA and have made numerous arrests for this crime.However, riders are reminded to protect their phones, particularly when seated or standing near open train doors and when leaving the train. There are also a number of apps that can be downloaded to allow phones to be tracked should a theft take place. Owners of smart phones should record the serial numbers and use passwords to protect access to their data. In the event of a theft, notify police immediately by contacting a station official or by using an emergency call box which are located on trains and in stations.

Even though there has been a significant reduction in Part I crimes, Chief MacMillan stated, “We completely understand that for the victim, one crime is too many and we will remain committed to reduce crime on the MBTA.”